LABRADOR HEALTH INFORMATION

Labradors make outstanding companions. They are loyal, gentle and easy to train. They are a LARGE breed however, and in all large breeds there can be some health concerns. We take every precaution to produce the healthiest puppies possible and we have been very sucessful with our breeding program. Even when using available testing and careful planning, issues can still arise. This is just the nature of breeding and producing living animals.

If a breeder tells you that the puppy they are offering you, or their breeding lines, are completely clear of genetic issues please be careful. They are either not being honest with you, have not bothered to track what issues they have produced or have not been breeding long enough.

We always use common sense, DNA screening (when available) and are wise to avoid lines/dogs we feel are a high risk. Below are the most common health concerns in show bred Labradors. This is my opinion through the experience I have gained about Labradors as a whole. All dogs, pure breeds and breed mixes, have just as many health concerns. Please keep in mind that besides looking and acting very differently, Show Bred Labradors will normally have completely different health issues than Field Bred Labradors. The results below apply to my own breeding program as I cannot speak for the occurrence of any health issue in other breeding lines.

INBREEDING - Before we go over the health concerns of the Labrador breed, I feel I must say a few words about inbreeding. Though I rarely breed closely related Labradors together, Inbreeding (in itself) can not CAUSE genetic issues. The genetic issues that can be present, in both pure breed dogs and mixed breeds, are mutations that have been there for many generations. Inbreeding, itself, can be a contributing factor to smaller litter sizes, sterility and neonatal survival. It is incorrect information that inbreeding CREATES these genetic issues. With the use of new DNA testing, breeders are able to identify dangerous recessive traits and breed away from them to produce healthier puppies. If you would like more information about my point of view on this topic, or any listed here, please contact me directly.

CONCERNS :

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - PRA is an inherited eye disease that is identifiable through DNA screening and/or an eye examination by an Ophthalmologist later in life. Using the DNA test we can avoid producing puppies with PRA. If a dog is tested and found to be affected by PRA, there is a chance that they will not develop the disease as the disease shows incomplete penetrance. If they do, progression tends to be relatively slow, later in life, and progress to complete blindness. Even though this is a very rare disease, we still do everything we can to avoid producing puppies that will have this. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Cataracts - Cataracts happen in dogs both young and old. Causes include genetic inheritance, metabolic disturbances (diabetes), trauma, nutritional imbalance (orphan pups on milk replacer), and chronic uveitis (an inflammatory disease of vascular tissue deep in the eye).  As your dog ages, you may notice a bluish haze developing deep in their eyes, behind the pupils. More than likely, if your dog is still able to see, this bluish haze is a common, normal, aging change called lenticular sclerosis or nuclear sclerosis. Some genetic cataracts can now be identified through a DNA test while others can not. Yearly eye exams by a board certified canine ophthalmologist are currently the most reliable way to track, and avoid, production of cataracts. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Entropian or Ectropian - Entropion and ectropion are conditions that involve the eyelids. With an entropion the eyelids roll inward and rub against the cornea of the eye. This can cause a great deal of discomfort for the dog. Ectropion is the opposite of entropion, the eyelids droop exposing the cornea. Both require corrective surgery to avoid discomfort and eye infections. Occasionally a puppy will be entropic and as they grow the lower lid can correct. Yearly eye exams by a board certified canine ophthalmologist are currently the most reliable way to track, and avoid, production of these conditions. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC) - It is characterized by muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and life-threatening collapse after intense exercise in otherwise apparently healthy dogs. Using the DNA test we can avoid producing puppies with EIC. Even though this is a very rare disease, we still do everything we can to avoid producing puppies that will have this. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - Signs of centronuclear myopathy include generalized loss of muscle tone and control, exercise intolerance, and an awkward gait. CNM typically manifests in puppies at 2-5 months of age. Using the DNA test we can avoid producing puppies with EIC. Even though this is a very rare disease, we still do everything we can to avoid producing puppies that will have this. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Heart Disorders - Heart murmurs are very rare but can occur. Sometimes a puppy can have a heart murmur at a young age and as they grow it corrects. This is called an “innocent murmur” as the connecting tissue that should have dissolved before birth is still present. As the puppy grows the tissue releases and the heart is normal. Other, more serious, murmurs can happen due to the dam being exposed to an unknown virus or bacteria during pregnancy, application of dangerous flea/tick mediation, administering dangerous oral medications, environmental toxins or it can simply be genetic. The most prevalent heart disorder in Labradors is TVD (Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia). It is most likely genetic in nature and breeding animals should be tested to ensure cardiac health. There is currently no DNA test available. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Diabetes Mellitus - Diabetes mellitus is a condition that affects the amount of glucose, or sugar, in your dog's blood. Diabetes occurs when your dog's body makes too little insulin, stops producing it completely, or has an abnormal response to insulin. Excessive thirst, increased urination, weight loss and increased appetite are the initial symptoms with cataracts, enlarged liver, urinary tract infections, seizures, kidney failure and ketoacidosis being the more advanced symptoms. Canine diabetes is more common in middle-age and older dogs, but it is also seen in young dogs. There is no DNA test available to identify the possibility of producing this genetic issue in breeding pairs, and the primary cause of canine diabetes is largely unknown. Experts suggest that genetics may play a role as it is more prevalent in specific family lines. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Epilepsy - Epilepsy is a very broad term that means that the dog has moments where brain activity becomes abnormal which causes seizures. There are many types of seizures, and not all cases of epilepsy are inherited. Sometimes a spontaneous gene mutations cause epilepsy, other times it is found in a family line or caused by the environment with genetic factors. The application of dangerous long term flea/tick pesticides can cause seizures. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Hypothyroidism/Hyperthyroidism - The thyroid gland. located in the neck, controls the metabolic rate of the body. When the gland is not functioning improperly it can cause weakness, lethargy, weight gain to the point of obesity, skin and coat problems, behavioral abnormalities, and infertility and other issues. There is some controversy as to whether environmental toxins and vaccines cause thyroid issues, but genetics do play a role in this condition. Studies on the mode of inheritance of hereditary hypothyroidism/autoimmune thyroiditis in dogs have been inconclusive to date and unfortunately there is no DNA test available to identify the possibility of producing this genetic issue in breeding pairs and no active research into the mode of inheritance of canine hereditary hypothyroidism. - HEALTH CONCERN : Extremely low risk

Allergies - Having an allergy means that the immune system is overreacting to a substance and are most often due to contact with insecticides, pollens, insect bites and food ingredients. Allergies can cause redness, swelling, itching and hair loss as well as a secondary bacterial skin infection due to scratching or biting. Allergies are common in all dogs, regardless of breeding or background, but in some cases, there can be a predisposition to it in some family groups. - HEALTH CONCERN : Very low risk

Cancers - Statistics show that, as a whole, around 31% of Labradors over the age of 10 years old will have some form of cancer. This takes into account all Labradors regardless of their breeding line and some Labrador mixes as well. Cancer is a broad area to cover, and even with careful breeding it can come out of nowhere, but I am very mindful and doing all I can as a breeder to prevent any forms of cancer. So far cancer has not been a reported concern or cause of death under the age of 10 years of age, and rare over the age of 10 years of age. - HEALTH CONCERN : Very low risk

Elbow Dysplasia (ED) - “Elbow dysplasia” is really an umbrella term for a number of different conditions of this joint due to one of the three bones (the humerus, radius and ulna) not fitting together perfectly. This leads to areas of abnormally high contact pressure. In most cases both elbows are affected and the actual cause of ED remains unclear. There are a number of theories as to the exact cause of the disease that include genetics, defects in cartilage growth, trauma, diet, and so on. It is most commonly suspected this is a multifactorial disease in which causes the growth disturbances. There is no DNA test for ED and I can continue to manage ED through wise breeding practices. - HEALTH CONCERN : Very low risk

Hip Dysplasia (HD) - Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs during the growth stage in dogs and is caused by both genetic and environmental factors. HD is most common in larger breeds and results in the loosening of the hip joint, which causes dysfunction and pain. As the dog grows, the cartilage and bone of the hip begin to wear down. Over time, this causes arthritis, muscle atrophy, and limited mobility. We recommend that all Labrador puppies be switched to adult food at 4 months of age. This reduces the amount of calcium, fat and protein and can help to slow the growth as well as the chance of getting hip dysplasia. There is no DNA test for HD and I can continue to manage HD through wise breeding practices. - HEALTH CONCERN : Low risk

NOTE - The risk of developing hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia is significantly higher for those dogs neutered or spay at an early age! We highly recommend you wait until your Labrador is at least 12 months of age before you have them neutered or spay.

Arthritis - Arthritis can be common in Labradors. Especially as they get older, and is particularly a concern with Labradors with HD or ED. It is also the result of their size and the strain this puts on their joints. It’s important to keep your Labrador healthy through regular exercise and correct feeding because obesity can put excess strain on their joints and increase their risk of arthritis. - HEALTH CONCERN : Low risk - Varies depending on Overall Health and Weight

Panosteitis (Pano) - Panosteitis is a painful inflammation of the outer surface or shaft of one or more long bones of the legs. It is sometimes called growing pains. Panosteitis may occur in more than one bone at a time or may move around, causing a shifting lameness that goes from one bone or leg to another. The lameness tends to occur very suddenly, spontaneously, and without a history of trauma or excessive exercise. Panosteitis is a condition that affects young, rapidly growing dogs. Although it can occur in any breed of dog, larger breeds are more prone to this problem. Panosteitis is often misdiagnosed as Hip or Elbow Dysplasia! We recommend that all Labrador puppies be switched to adult food at 4 months of age. This reduces the amount of calcium, fat and protein and can help to slow the growth as well as the chance of getting panosteitis. - HEALTH CONCERN : Low risk